Takedown

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY MAY 12, 2003

After his faith-based tale of a demon serial killer who shocked New York in Driven, Griffiths brings the evil Krogan back to continue his reign of terror in the world of professional wrestling in this rather lukewarm sequel. Det. Gavin Pierce and his pregnant wife, Amy, are happily settling into married life and trying to put the past behind them. But it's not long before the imprisoned Krogan (captured in a tortoise's body at the end of the last novel) finds a way to escape, wreaking mayhem as a professional wrestler and taking revenge on the Pierces. And if Krogan isn't enough of a headache, Gavin also finds himself coping with a terrorist who is bent on committing homicide on a grand scale. The action soon peaks in the wrestling ring, and the final showdown between Gavin and Krogan is almost a footnote. While the novel graphically portrays the reality of evil and provides some entertaining segments, it lacks the originality and strength of its predecessor. One of the most disappointing aspects of the book is the character of Amy, who began her fictional life as a sassy, brainy woman and ends up here as a helpless victim who whines, decorates the house and gets in the way. Dialogue is heavy in spots, and the gore occasionally goes over the top for faith-based fiction (one victim is found with a Scripture verse carved into his chest). Fans of the first book will likely find this one a bit of a letdown.